kscans

Chapter 253 - A Breather

The King sent us to the usual underground mansion, where we waited for Arc while drinking tea prepared by Mia.

"Eleanor-san, how did you notice the assassin so easily?" Nanapon asked, sounding impressed.

"Yoshino-san taught me the Presence Detection skill a while ago. It was worth getting beaten up so many times."

"Don’t make it sound so bad. I was holding back, wasn’t I?"

That "holding back" felt like she was looking down on me, which was irritating.

"So, Yoshino-san, you noticed him too?"

"Of course I did. At almost the exact same time, I think."

"Wow. That’s amazing." Nanapon was impressed with Yoshino-san.

"You still rely too much on your Clairvoyance. You’re careless about what’s behind you."

She had been kidnapped before, and even when we were adventuring together, she barely ever checked her six.

"Today was your fault, Eleanor-san. You were drinking too much."

"I thought so too. There’s a limit to being shameless. You even sat in Arc’s chair with your legs crossed at the end. The guests were all looking at you like, ‘What’s with her?’"

The two of them looked at me with exasperation.

"I’ve decided to live freely and do as I please. After all, any infamy or slander is directed at me, not Okita-kun."

It has nothing to do with him.

"This is the kind of person who would probably slander me online…"

I would not. I’d say it to your face.

"I don’t care about your reputation, Dirty-no-san, but an assassin really did show up."

"Hey… Don’t call me Dirty-no."

"It’s true. It was so peaceful at first, I never would have thought it would happen."

Perhaps their plan was to strike later in the party. They were probably aiming for the moment when everyone was drinking and letting their guard down as it was about to end.

"The King probably expected something like this to happen, to some extent," Yoshino-san said thoughtfully.

"Well, I suppose so… Hm?"

As we were chatting and drinking tea, a knock sounded at the door.

"Is that Arc?"

"That insensitive kid would just teleport straight in here. It must be the King… Come in."

I gave permission to enter, and the door opened. As expected, the King came in.

"It seems Arc has not yet returned." The King approached as he spoke.

"I expect he’ll be here eventually. He’s probably having a tea party with Kaede-chan. They looked bored."

Lydia-chan too. It must have been tough just sitting there the whole time.

"I see… He seems to have taken quite a liking to your house," the King said with a sigh as he took a seat.

"He just plays games all the time. But well, a king’s work seems stressful, so maybe it’s a good way for him to relax."

"Perhaps so. But are you sure it’s alright? I hear Lydia visits as well. Are they not a bother?"

"Not at all. It’s nice and lively, and the bonus maid does all the housework, so it’s very relaxing for me."

Mia, of course.

"If you are fine with it, then so be it…"

"It’s for my disciples. They’re dear to me." I’m so kind.

"Disciples… Very well. Thank you for your hard work today. There is much to investigate and do from here on, but for now, we were able to announce that Arc will be the next king and that he will marry Lydia. You have my gratitude. What would you like as a reward?"

"I don’t need anything. I have plenty of money, and I did it for those two."

It was just a way to kill time, after all.

"I see… Is that so."

"More importantly, aren’t Arc and Lydia-chan going to have a wedding? I was planning on giving a speech."

"A speech… Well, I’m sure they will, but after what happened, it will likely be some time from now."

That made sense. That assassin was targeting Arc.

"I suppose it can’t be helped…"

"Indeed. Forgive me, but I must return to my duties. When Arc returns, please tell him to come see me."

"Yes, yes… Take care of your health."

"I know. You were a great help today. Farewell…"

The King stood up and vanished via teleportation.

"What would happen if Arc never came back?"

"Huh? Would we be stuck here forever?"

Would we? Kaede-chaaan, help me.

"No, the King would probably send you back. He might not be able to send you to your house, but I imagine he can get you to the guild through the Gate."

"That’s true. Well, let’s wait for Arc. I bet he’s eating snacks over there right now."

"Probably. He’s taking way too long."

"He might even be playing games."

That was possible…

We continued to wait, drinking tea and chatting. About two hours later, Arc suddenly appeared.

"Ah, I knew you’d be here."

"You’re late. What were you doing?"

"Taking a bath."

He was relaxing even more than I imagined…

"You… honestly…"

"Well, I was startled. My heart was pounding."

Well, someone did just try to kill him.

"Where’s Lydia-chan?"

"Lydia’s fine. She’s eating snacks with Kaede."

Of course she is. Just as I thought.

"I see…"

"So, what happened?"

"No problems. I took care of it. Though it seems he killed himself with poison in the end."

"There wasn’t much he could do after you cut off his arm," Yoshino-san commented, which made Arc grimace.

"I don’t want to hear the details."

"He used an invisibility potion, so we couldn’t see him. I was seriously freaked out when an arm just suddenly fell from nowhere," Nanapon said, nodding emphatically as she provided the details.

"Hey… Were you listening to me?"

"Yes, yes. Ask the King for the rest. He was looking for you."

"Oh, right. I guess I should go talk to him. I’ll send you all back, so please look after Lydia."

Finally, we can go home.

"Come over tonight."

"You don’t have to tell me twice. I want some pizza."

Is that so…